The size and complexity of industrial plants, along with the characteristics of the products used, require a study, analysis and control of the existing risks in every industrial process. In this paper, a methodology for risk assessment in industrial plants, based on the combination of risks identification through the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) analysis and the risks evaluation through linguistic variables and fuzzy numbers is applied to a case study consisting on a compound feed plant located in the town of Silla (Valencia, Spain). The results from this study show that the main risk in the compound feed production process is the formation of explosive atmospheres (ATEX). Therefore, the corrective measures will focus on reducing the concentration of dust in the atmosphere and eliminating the possible sources of ignition, such as electrostatic discharges or sparks during the different phases of the process (the grinding, the transport of the raw materials, etc.) (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.